1960 C60 Ball Joints

[JPBrecheisen]

Just got into a 1960 C60. It might need ball joints down the road.

Anybody out there have a source for them of the top of their head.

I'm being lazy and hadn't made many phone calls on it yet.

Thanks

Jonathon

[alsriv2]

I've not seen a Chevy with 4 lights before. Nice looking truck.

Check out Stovebolt.com
There are many resources on that site that might be helpful for your medium duty truck.

[marvgarr68]

I have seen a early 60s chevy with 4 lights it was a c30 and had a v6 from factory. You sure that truck has ball joints and not kingpins?

[JPBrecheisen]

Originally Posted by alsriv2

I've not seen a Chevy with 4 lights before. Nice looking truck.

Check out Stovebolt.com
There are many resources on that site that might be helpful for your medium duty truck.

Chevy had the 4 headlight set up on these body style trucks in 60 and 61. They went to the single larger headlight in 62. GMC kept the 4 headlights for many years.

I've gotten signed up with the stovebolt site. Working some questions about split rims over there right now. I also got some good brake part info from over there as well. I'll hit them up for the ball joint stuff next.

Thanks for the replies.

Jonathon

[buggy5872]

It should have a straight axle with king pins.

[JPBrecheisen]

Originally Posted by marvgarr68

I have seen a early 60s chevy with 4 lights it was a c30 and had a v6 from factory. You sure that truck has ball joints and not kingpins?

This one does have ball joints. They had independent front torsion bar suspension in 60 and 61. Maybe it even went into 62, but I think 62 is when they switched to the solid front axle with the leaf springs and king-pins.

I like the early 60-66 stuff, but they are a tad different than the later years in that era. Makes them kind of neat, but a bit of a task when it comes to chasing down parts.

Jonathon.

[JPBrecheisen]

Originally Posted by buggy5872

It should have a straight axle with king pins.

Front independent torsion bar suspension on this one. Solid axle with king-pins came in later years.

[buggy5872]

learned something new today then....I would of never gussed gm dropped the straight axle for 2 years. I new a 63 we used to have on the farm had a straight axle. Good luck finding the ball joints. It might be tough since it was a 2 year only thing.

[C10 - C90 Bill]

Torsion Bars were on '60-'62 trucks. The only exception was the heavy '62 GMC 6500, on Conventional Cab trucks anyway.

Bill

[JPBrecheisen]

Originally Posted by buggy5872

learned something new today then....I would of never gussed gm dropped the straight axle for 2 years. I new a 63 we used to have on the farm had a straight axle. Good luck finding the ball joints. It might be tough since it was a 2 year only thing.

Yeah, I'm always learning too. I didn't know the big trucks had the torsion bar set up until recently. I knew the light duty stuff was that way, but not the bigger trucks.

This truck is in pretty good shape yet, but I'm going start looking for a set now. It'll probably end being sourced from a NOS collection or something like that.

I was just hoping that maybe somebody had done one recently that could make a suggestion on where to look.

Its ok. I don't mind the treasure hunt.

[4x4toy]

If you find part numbers please post back here with them, Thanks. I am still sourcing parts to convert my 261 to fuel injection. once it runs I will start on brake work and suspension. By the way, cool truck.

[JPBrecheisen]

Thanks, I like it a lot.

It is in the shop for brake repair and anything else it might need. I found some brake part data at this link when a member from this site was encouraged to look over at stovebolt.com

http://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthreads/...&Number=953433

I will see how these part numbers work out during the process.

If I find anything else I will post. I think I'm gonna try to purchase an old GM parts book so I'll have GM numbers when looking for parts. I'm sort of thinking some of the items are going to be found in NOS groupings instead of aftermarket.

Jonathon

[4x4toy]

Any luck with suspension parts? Any issues with finding correct brake parts? I will be doing brake work on mine this spring hopefully. Any input helps us other "heavy haulers" out.

[JPBrecheisen]

Originally Posted by 4x4toy

Any luck with suspension parts? Any issues with finding correct brake parts? I will be doing brake work on mine this spring hopefully. Any input helps us other "heavy haulers" out.

Brakes:

I used the brake part numbers from that link I posted earlier. All of them were correct. No issues.

Suspension:

I have been looking for the ball joints. I think I found them. The problem seems to be is that they are only available through what seems like government contract companies. I got a quote for a set of the lowers ones at something like $1,400. This is not an unusual quote when it comes to government contract procurement, but obviously wouldn't be acceptable for a singular person wishing to fix up an old truck. I am still looking.

I hadn't done much with it since November due to travels for work, and the holidays. I'll put up what I do find out. Sorry I don't have much more than that at the moment.

Jonathon

[jmack91z28]

What have you found out about your split wheels? Are you planning on keeping them and buy up safety equipment to safely maintain air pressure, or are you going to replace them?

Incase you haven't discovered yet: http://www.wheelsnowinc.com/catalog/viewItem.php?id=197

And this is the source I found it from: http://www.chevyc60.com/the_wheel_tire_page.htm

I've been toying around buying a 61 C60 viking dumptruck here in town. Yours is in great shape, good luck to you with it.

[JPBrecheisen]

Originally Posted by jmack91z28

What have you found out about your split wheels? Are you planning on keeping them and buy up safety equipment to safely maintain air pressure, or are you going to replace them?

Incase you haven't discovered yet: http://www.wheelsnowinc.com/catalog/viewItem.php?id=197

And this is the source I found it from: http://www.chevyc60.com/the_wheel_tire_page.htm

I've been toying around buying a 61 C60 viking dumptruck here in town. Yours is in great shape, good luck to you with it.

Jason,

Thanks for the link to the wheels. I have connected with Wheels Now as they are the only place that seems to have the correct tubeless fitment available.

I will not likely keep the split wheels as they are Firestone RH-5 wheels and due to their design, are potentially a bit of a safety hazard. They are a 2 piece type vs. the normal 3 piece split rim. If they were in good shape and not rusty, I might entertain keeping them, but even then, 20 inch rubber is hard to come buy. I haven't pulled mine apart to even check, but I'm not sure I'll go through the hassle. I don't really want to spend the $$, but I would much rather have the tubeless ride anyway.

The truck is pretty solid. I'm pretty excited about it. I want to get a body place to straighten the fender in the spring. I think that will help it look a little sharper.

Good luck with yours as well if you decided to get it.

Jonathon

[jmack91z28]

Originally Posted by JPBrecheisen

Jason,

Thanks for the link to the wheels. I have connected with Wheels Now as they are the only place that seems to have the correct tubeless fitment available.

I will not likely keep the split wheels as they are Firestone RH-5 wheels and due to their design, are potentially a bit of a safety hazard. They are a 2 piece type vs. the normal 3 piece split rim. If they were in good shape and not rusty, I might entertain keeping them, but even then, 20 inch rubber is hard to come buy. I haven't pulled mine apart to even check, but I'm not sure I'll go through the hassle. I don't really want to spend the $$, but I would much rather have the tubeless ride anyway.

The truck is pretty solid. I'm pretty excited about it. I want to get a body place to straighten the fender in the spring. I think that will help it look a little sharper.

Good luck with yours as well if you decided to get it.

Jonathon

Yes sir, let us know how it works out. Quality, cost, customer satisfaction with Wheels now, etc... I'd be interested to see how much it costs.

Parts seem to be a lot harder to come by with these trucks, especially in the aftermarket.

What transmission does yours have?

[JPBrecheisen]

Originally Posted by jmack91z28

Yes sir, let us know how it works out. Quality, cost, customer satisfaction with Wheels now, etc... I'd be interested to see how much it costs.

Parts seem to be a lot harder to come by with these trucks, especially in the aftermarket.

What transmission does yours have?

Aftermarket parts are a bit tough to come buy. When I had the shop do the brakes, most of the general parts were still available.

Wheels Now quoted their wheels at $335 each. They did say that late January and/or February timeframe is a better time to purchase as they have sourced them from a different manufacturer at a lower price. The end result to the consumer will be about $225 each.

It will end up being a little pricey to make the conversion, but I've heard too many bad stories on the RH-5's to want to keep them around. I've heard in some states you're not even allowed to run them on the truck at all.

My truck has the Jobmaster 261 6 cylinder engine with a SM420 4 speed. It has the single speed rear end.


If you want to get into one of these old medium duty trucks, it sort of looks like you'll have a better time finding parts and or compatible items if you get into on that is 1963-1966. My truck is a 1960, which is what I like about it, but the earlier trucks like this one with the torsion bar suspension are a little harder to find items for. Seems like the 1963 and on (they started using solid front axle with leaf springs) are a little easier to find parts for and a little more common. I love that mine is a 60, but its a challenge as well. Hope that makes sense. I'm glad I got mine. I think its something different. You don't see these things hardly at all, so to see one running down the road all cleaned up will be neat for sure.



Jonathon

[jmack91z28]

Originally Posted by JPBrecheisen

Aftermarket parts are a bit tough to come buy. When I had the shop do the brakes, most of the general parts were still available.

Wheels Now quoted their wheels at $335 each. They did say that late January and/or February timeframe is a better time to purchase as they have sourced them from a different manufacturer at a lower price. The end result to the consumer will be about $225 each.

It will end up being a little pricey to make the conversion, but I've heard too many bad stories on the RH-5's to want to keep them around. I've heard in some states you're not even allowed to run them on the truck at all.

My truck has the Jobmaster 261 6 cylinder engine with a SM420 4 speed. It has the single speed rear end.


If you want to get into one of these old medium duty trucks, it sort of looks like you'll have a better time finding parts and or compatible items if you get into on that is 1963-1966. My truck is a 1960, which is what I like about it, but the earlier trucks like this one with the torsion bar suspension are a little harder to find items for. Seems like the 1963 and on (they started using solid front axle with leaf springs) are a little easier to find parts for and a little more common. I love that mine is a 60, but its a challenge as well. Hope that makes sense. I'm glad I got mine. I think its something different. You don't see these things hardly at all, so to see one running down the road all cleaned up will be neat for sure.



Jonathon

Well $225 a wheel isn't too bad, it's a whole lot cheaper than an ER visit for a broken arm I guess.

Yeah a lot of the research I've done on the 60-62's, you can find brake parts but suspension parts are tough. I haven't found anyone that sells replacement hydraulic parts though.

I've always wondered if you could get a front end off a late 70's model C60 and swap it out with the torsion bar setup? I know it wouldn't be a direct swap, but I wonder if it'd be close enough..

How are the brakes in yours? I've seen people do disc brake setups in the 2 tons, but I've also read it's not worth all the time and money since the factory power drums are pretty good. Would you say that's accurate?

[JPBrecheisen]

Originally Posted by jmack91z28

Well $225 a wheel isn't too bad, it's a whole lot cheaper than an ER visit for a broken arm I guess.

Yeah a lot of the research I've done on the 60-62's, you can find brake parts but suspension parts are tough. I haven't found anyone that sells replacement hydraulic parts though.

I've always wondered if you could get a front end off a late 70's model C60 and swap it out with the torsion bar setup? I know it wouldn't be a direct swap, but I wonder if it'd be close enough..

How are the brakes in yours? I've seen people do disc brake setups in the 2 tons, but I've also read it's not worth all the time and money since the factory power drums are pretty good. Would you say that's accurate?

I think it sort of all depends on how you use and what you intend on for the vehicle once you get it on the road. I think the vacuum boosted drums work just fine. I have many other projects that have drum brakes, and so long as they are in good working order, the stop the vehicle well enough. To keep things on the simple side, I'd recommend keeping the original brakes unless you get to a point where parts are not available. It would be at that time that I would want to make changes. I mess with these old trucks because I like how they look, feel, smell, and drive. I never really am an advocate of making a 1960 truck drive like a 2014 truck. I have a 2014 truck for that.

I hope that makes sense. In the end, its really up to you and what you want out of the vehicle. If you're going to use in it in traffic and as a daily use type vehicle, then it might be worth the trouble. But if you just want a neat old medium duty truck to use now and again and to preserve a piece of automotive history and don't mind leaving a little following distance between you and the person ahead, stick with the power drums.

Jonathon

[jmack91z28]

Originally Posted by JPBrecheisen

I think it sort of all depends on how you use and what you intend on for the vehicle once you get it on the road. I think the vacuum boosted drums work just fine. I have many other projects that have drum brakes, and so long as they are in good working order, the stop the vehicle well enough. To keep things on the simple side, I'd recommend keeping the original brakes unless you get to a point where parts are not available. It would be at that time that I would want to make changes. I mess with these old trucks because I like how they look, feel, smell, and drive. I never really am an advocate of making a 1960 truck drive like a 2014 truck. I have a 2014 truck for that.

I hope that makes sense. In the end, its really up to you and what you want out of the vehicle. If you're going to use in it in traffic and as a daily use type vehicle, then it might be worth the trouble. But if you just want a neat old medium duty truck to use now and again and to preserve a piece of automotive history and don't mind leaving a little following distance between you and the person ahead, stick with the power drums.

Jonathon

Ultimately that seems to be the case that these old trucks handle and stop well enough to not warrant the extra costs and time of swapping the original parts out. Yeah I just wanted one cause they are pretty nice, rare and I'd like to have a small dumptruck for hauling a few loads of firewood a year as opposed to loading and unloading manually out of my Dodge.

I appreciate the conversation, please keep us posted on the work you do with your C60.

[JPBrecheisen]

Originally Posted by jmack91z28

Ultimately that seems to be the case that these old trucks handle and stop well enough to not warrant the extra costs and time of swapping the original parts out. Yeah I just wanted one cause they are pretty nice, rare and I'd like to have a small dumptruck for hauling a few loads of firewood a year as opposed to loading and unloading manually out of my Dodge.

I appreciate the conversation, please keep us posted on the work you do with your C60.

Jason,

No problem. Based on what you're going after, I'd say get the brakes re-done as they are and see what you think. I think it will be easier to track down the parts you need in the beginning than figuring out a swap. Wheel cylinders and hoses should still be available. I have a few part numbers in another thread on that. Wheel and master cylinders can be sent off for sleeving if necessary. Brake shoes can be re-lined also. Drums might be a bit tricky, but most of these truck are pretty low miles most of the time, and they should be in good shape. Wheel seals and bearings are pretty standard and you shouldn't have too much trouble with that. Whatever you decide, I hope it works out well.

Jonathon.

[jmack91z28]

I bought the truck Sunday, won't go get it till this weekend.

You've got good points Jonathon, we've got a real good NAPA up the road from where I live that I know could get good replacement parts or the guys behind that counter would have outside contacts to source replacement parts.

Sorry to side track from your original post. Keep us posted on your C60.

[Budman56]

Hello all seems like this might be an old thread but I see some needed info here so I thought I would post a picture of what I got and will be working on in the future.

[C10 - C90 Bill]

Looks good!